Clinical manifestations and outcomes of fetal periventricular pseudocysts: a study of 38 cases

This study aimed to describe the clinical manifestations and enhance the understanding of outcomes linked to fetal periventricular pseudocysts.

We conducted a retrospective evaluation of 38 pregnant women diagnosed with fetal periventricular pseudocysts between January 2015 and May 2025.

Among the participants, five women were diagnosed during the second trimester, while 33 were diagnosed in the third trimester. Of the total 38 women, three opted for therapeutic abortion due to congenital abnormalities, while 35 delivered (two preterm and 33 at term). The average gestational age at first diagnosis was 31.4 (29.3, 34.6) weeks. In particular, seven periventricular pseudocysts were left-sided, six were right-sided, and 25 were bilateral. Twenty-three of these pseudocysts were situated on the lateral aspect of the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle. Throughout the course of pregnancy, 15 of the 38 pseudocysts were closely monitored, demonstrating variable changes in size. Three fetuses were found to have genetic or chromosomal abnormalities during pregnancy. In addition, two newborns required admission to the neonatal intensive care unit due to infection and prematurity. Among the 34 newborns, two exhibited developmental delays in language and/or motor domains.

Most fetal periventricular pseudocysts were detected in the second and third trimesters, with over two-thirds being bilateral. The lateral aspect of the anterior horn of the lateral ventricle was the primary site of occurrence. With the exception of cases accompanied by other abnormalities, the majority of fetal periventricular pseudocysts were associated with favorable outcomes.